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More than £40 million invested in highways network across Wolverhampton

More than £40 million has been ploughed into the highways network in the last four years, it has been revealed.

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Wolverhampton Council

Chiefs at Wolverhampton Council said the investment had allowed traffic to continue to run safely and smoothly – with £13 million available this year.

But they warned that major schemes for the city would have to wait to become a reality due to their need for Government grants.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: "We spent £41 million over the last four years and we have to rely on grants – and we've only got £13 million available for 2020/2021.

"If we could do everything we wanted to, it would cost £35 million, and we're reliant on grants in particular from the Government.

"We're looking at some major schemes like the East Park Gateway and we've got a number of other projects for cabinet to give its approval on, but we need that grant funding."

Councillor Evans said recent changes to the speed limit on the city's main Ring Road – dropping from 40mph to 30mph – was necessary amid Government requirements.

"We need to support our businesses and get people moving, but we have to take on-board the safety of pedestrians," he said.

"In 2001 we had about 1,000 serious accidents and that has seriously reduced and as of 2018 we had 483 serious accidents – and I will never make any apologies to anyone for making roads and footways safer.

"The city centre is not just for buses and cars, the city centre is for anyone – whether you're a cyclist, on foot, or arrive in a taxi.

"I think it's worth noting the Government has instructed councils to significantly and immediately look at our infrastructure in our city.

"I think it's important to stress it is a temporary measure as part of a full package of measures. – we have to make sure we meet Government targets before June 15.

"These are not things we looked at and put in place because we wanted to – it's to make sure it's safe for people to cross the road."

Roads in the city could also close as part of the measures to keep people safe, council chiefs confirmed.

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